U.S. patent application number 15/962222 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-25 for customizable lighting system for recreational flotation devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gregory J. Autore, Scott R. de Grasse.
Application Number | 20180304978 15/962222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63852700 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180304978 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
de Grasse; Scott R. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2018 |
CUSTOMIZABLE LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR RECREATIONAL FLOTATION DEVICES
Abstract
An inflatable flotation device includes one of more pockets for
receiving and retaining a lighting element or elements. The
lighting elements may be readily inserted into and removed from the
pockets so that the user may select the location of the elements.
The user may also choose the direction of the light beam emanating
from each element. The lighting elements are water-tight in
construction and fully submersible, and may be controlled remotely
by low-frequency signals that allow the user to selectively
activate each element and control the color of its light beam.
Inventors: |
de Grasse; Scott R.;
(Marshfield, MA) ; Autore; Gregory J.; (Spring
Valley, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc. |
Avon |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Aqua-Leisure Industries,
Inc.
Avon
MA
|
Family ID: |
63852700 |
Appl. No.: |
15/962222 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62489725 |
Apr 25, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 23/10 20130101;
B63C 9/20 20130101; F21S 10/02 20130101; F21L 4/027 20130101; H05B
47/19 20200101; A63H 33/22 20130101; H05B 45/20 20200101 |
International
Class: |
B63C 9/20 20060101
B63C009/20; H05B 37/02 20060101 H05B037/02; F21L 4/02 20060101
F21L004/02 |
Claims
1. A flotation device comprising: a buoyant body member; at least
one light-emitting element; a pocket formed in said body member,
said pocket having an opening to allow receipt of said
light-emitting element in said pocket.
2. The device of claim 1 having a plurality of pockets to allow
selective placement of said light-emitting element in one of the
pockets to provide different lighting effects as desired.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the light-emitting element
includes circuitry to allow remote control of the brightness and/or
color of the light emitted by the element.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein said buoyant body member
comprises an inflatable bladder.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the light-emitting element
includes circuitry to allow remote control of the brightness and/or
color of the light emitted by the element.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/489,725 entitled
"CUSTOMIZABLE LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR INFLATABLE FLOATS," filed on Apr.
25, 2017, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety for all purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Inflatable beach and pool floats are extremely popular
recreational devices. They come in numerous shapes and colors,
providing an eye-catching and entertaining addition to the user's
experience. The instant invention adds to that enjoyment by
providing a system that allows a user to selectively add
illumination to the flotation device.
[0003] A flotation device in accordance with on aspect of the
instant invention includes a plurality of pockets for receiving and
retaining lighting elements. The lighting elements may be readily
inserted into and removed from the pockets so that the user may
select the locations of the elements. The lighting elements are
preferably water-tight in construction and fully submersible, and
may be controlled remotely by low-frequency signals that allow the
user to selectively activate each element and control the color of
its light beams.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component
illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For
purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every
figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention
shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the
figures:
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a flotation device with lighting
elements.
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts the lighting element poised above a pocket in
the device
[0007] FIG. 3 depicts the lighting element received by and retained
in the pocket/
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A flotation device 10 in the form of a dragon is depicted in
FIG. 1. Lighting elements 14 are held in pockets formed at the
surface of the device, and emit beams of light, either outwardly or
inwardly. In this aspect of the invention, the device 10 comprises
an inflatable PVC bladder constructed in conventional fashion.
[0009] Turning to FIG. 2, a commercially available, submersible
lighting element 14 in the shape of a puck provides light beams
emanating from one of its circular sides. Circuitry within the puck
interacts with remote control circuitry in a hand-held unit that
allows the user to control, by low-frequency signals, each lighting
element individually to selectively activate each element and
control the color of its light beam. Suitable lighting elements
with remote control unit may be obtained from, for example,
Shenzhen Greatfavonian Electronic Co. Ltd., 5F, Tongfuyu Industrial
Park, Lezhujiao, Zhoushi Road, Baoan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong,
China 518102. The lighting element has a clear injection-molded
plastic case enclosing a condenser for each lighting unit. The
lighting element is sealed and water-tight. Power consumption of
each element is 1.35 W (4.5 v DC, AAA battery .lamda.3).
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a pocket 16 of clear or prismatic PVC welded
to PVC layer 12 in conventional fashion, and receives a lighting
element 14. A strengthening ring 20 of PVC material is welded
around the outer circumference of pocket 16, and projects inwardly
to create aperture 18. Because the diameter of lighting element 14
is slightly larger than the diameter of aperture 18, the element 14
will be retained within pocket 16 until the consumer decides to
remove the element. The air pressure within the device will assist
in securing the lighting element 14 within the pocket, and it will
typically be necessary to partly deflate the device 10 at least
partially in order to insert or remove the lighting element 14.
[0011] In one aspect of the invention, aperture 18 is approximately
57 mm in diameter. Pocket 16 is about 80 mm in diameter and 40 mm
deep. The puck-shaped lighting element 14 is approximately 70 mm in
diameter and 25 mm high.
[0012] FIG. 3 provides a view of the lighting element located
within the pocket, as viewed from within the device. Lighting
element 14 is retained within the pocket 16, and may be removed
through aperture 18. As indicated above, reinforcing rim 20, of a
diameter less than that of lighting element 14, prevents the
element from escaping the pocket 16 on its own.
[0013] From the description of at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure, various alterations, modifications, and
improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such
alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be
within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the
foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended
to be limiting.
[0014] While several embodiments of the present invention have been
described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the
art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or
structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the
results and/or one of more of the advantages described herein, and
each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within
the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled
in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are mean to be
exemplary and the actual parameters, dimensions, materials and/or
configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the teachings of the present invention
is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing
embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, with the
scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention
may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and
claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual
feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein.
In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,
articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems,
articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,
is included within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *